A flip of the hair to hands on your hips, how you move and gesture say as much as what comes out of your mouth. Learn more... Plus, take our body language quiz, and don't forget to check out our slideshow...

The secret to a better relationship, a promotion at work and even a winning poker game is at your fingertips.

Subtle movements of your fingers, hands and feet may betray what you’re thinking and feeling, says Joe Navarro, author of What Every Body Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People (Collins, 2008).

An expert in nonverbal behavior, Navarro trained himself to detect when people are lying, turned on or off, threatened, or poised for physical violence.

“Body language is basically a billboard,” says Navarro, who now trains others in this evolving art.

“It’s not that hard to tell what someone is thinking,” he adds.

Navarro says even the most recent president's election may have been influenced by body language. He called a win for Barack Obama well before the votes were tallied.

Reading people became Navarro’s passion when he moved to Miami, Fla., at age 8 as an exile from Cuba.

“I began to study what people were saying [with their bodies] because at first I didn’t understand [English],” he says. “I remember noting the difference between teachers who liked me.”

Those who were fond of him raised their eyebrows when they saw him, Navarro explains.

The teachers who didn’t like him would squint.

The Eyes Have ItWhen people see something they don’t like, they’ll block it from sight, Navarro says.

Squinting, eye rubbing or closing those peepers are all signs of “eye blocking,” cues that a person feels threatened, unhappy or disdainful.

To calm herself, a pregnant woman will move her hand to her neck, then to her belly.

But a man in distress will vigorously cup or grab his neck or adjust his tie.

Men almost exclusively use gestures that show dominance.

Putting your hands together like a church steeple – fingertips touching, palms facing but apart – is the No. 1 power move, according to Navarro. (Former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina was one of the few women to master it, he says.)

If women do this, they almost always hold their hands lower, making the gesture less obvious and powerful.

Interestingly, a similar hand position – fingers interlaced as though praying – suggests a lack of confidence.

Another power play is arms akimbo – planting your hands with your thumbs backward on your hips and elbows out in a “V” shape.

“You can change even the impression of how tall you are by giving this display.”

Ace Your Next InterviewYour resume is polished, and the interview for your dream job is tomorrow. How do you get from introductions to a job offer?

Pay attention to your feet and those of your would-be boss sitting across from you, Navarro says.

Feet are the most honest parts of the body.

When we’re happy, our feet point upward. When we’re turned off, our feet point away from whatever is bumming us out.

So, watch your foot reaction as you get down to business: Interlocking ankles around the legs of the chair or underneath it suggests discomfort. And when asked a difficult question, most people will kick their foot.

Making eye contact is another way to score points in an interview; gazing around the room suggests disinterest.

“Go in there and lean forward,” Navarro says. “Lean into that interviewer. That translates as you’re eager and can’t wait to be part of the organization.”

When asked why they should hire you, Navarro says, talk about your passion for the work while keeping your hands in the “steeple” position.

“You’re not [just] saying you’re best for the job, you’re sending the message,” he says.

He’s Just Not That into YouHave you ever thought the guy was into you – he was flirting, smiling, the whole bit – and then he never called back?

Pay attention to how he touches you when he guides you to and from your table.

“A guy who’s not going to call again will touch you with his fingertips; if he likes you, it will be his whole palm,” Navarro says. “A guy who’s getting ready to dump somebody won’t be crossing his legs since that’s a sign he’s comfortable.”

Your happily-ever-after will also include a date who tilts his head in your direction because “guys who have had it will [angle] their heads away and squint,” he says.

Nonverbal cues speak volumes. Women who learn to read them can save themselves a lot of heartache.

“Don’t [just] go for the smile and what he says,” Navarro says.

Body language may sound complicated – there are more than 10,000 facial expressions alone – but learning to read people will put you in the driver’s seat of any situation.

Do You Speak Body Language?Even when you're silent, your body is sending signals about your mood and inner thoughts. Do you know what kind of signals you're sending? Find out with our body language quiz.

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